Kulkarni Ramesh Sudheendra1, Peerapur V Basavaraj2
1Department of Microbiology, BLDEA’s Shri B M Patil Medical College, Bijapur, India.
2Department of Microbiology, Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka, India.
DOI: 10.4103/jnsbm.JNSBM_209_17
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Biofilms are group of microorganisms which are embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance which adhere to each other. They are found to be involved in a wide range of infections in the body like urinary tract infections (UTIs). Biofilms are considered to be highly resistant to antimicrobial agents. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common organism causing both community as well as hospital acquired UTI leading to serious health issues. Objectives: This study was conducted to analyse the antibiotic sensitivity profile of biofilm forming Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from patients with suspected UTI attending a Teaching hospital of North Karnataka. Materials And Methods: 388 E. coli isolates recovered from1000 suspected cases of UTI were tested for susceptibility to fourteen different antibiotics. In vitro biofilm formation was detected by Tube adherence method, Congo red agar method and Tissue culture plate method. Results: 277 isolates (71.39%) produced biofilm in-vitro by all the three methods. Biofilm forming E. coli developed significantly higher degree of resistance towards antimicrobial drugs Ampicillin (87.36%), Cefuroxime (81.58%), Amoxicillin clavulanic acid (77.61%), Ciprofloxacin (71.48%) and Ceftriaxone (71.48%). They were sensitive to higher antibiotics like Imipenem, Piperacillin-tazobactam, Nitrofurantoin, and Amikacin. Conclusion: Detection of biofilm in E. coli and its resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics in the clinical practice is essential in improving the efficacy of empirical treatment. This study revealed the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of biofilm forming E. coli which helps clinicians to treat UTI effectively.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, Biofilm, Escherichia coli, Urinary tract infection.
